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Kathara Deftera (Clean Monday)

Kathara Deftera, or Clean Monday is an important day for Greeks. We celebrate the end of the Carnival and the beginning of fasting which leads to Easter (forty days later). The name comes from the adjective “katharos”=clean. This day is also called “Koulouma”.

Click here to read this article in Greek and listen to the Audio

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The Greek Traditional Christmas Boat | Omilo

The Greek Traditional Christmas Boat is very popular again since the last decade.

Do you prefer a Christmas tree or a Christmas boat? (Greek text below)

The decoration of the Christmas tree is not a Greek habit. It is said that the first Christmas tree in Greece was introduced and decorated by the Bavarian king Otto in 1833. In Greece, according to tradition, we decorate a boat, mainly on the islands. The boat symbolizes the maritime identity of the country. Greeks, a seafaring nation, of course, combined the celebration of Christmas with the sea. The decoration of the ship was also a kind of honor and welcome to the sailors returning home to celebrate Christmas with their families.

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